Klopp: 70 points is wonderful - but it's not what we want
Jürgen Klopp is satisfied with Liverpool's current total of 70 Premier League points – but wants that number to be increased sufficiently in the final two matches.
The Reds face West Ham United away from home on Sunday afternoon before hosting Middlesbrough on the final day of the season, in the knowledge that victory in each fixture would secure a top-four spot.
Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Southampton on Wednesday night congested the chasing pack further, with five points separating Klopp’s men in third and Manchester United in sixth. Each of their nearest rivals have a game in hand, too.
The manager believes every match is difficult for every team at this stage of the campaign, but knows the onus falls on his players to rise to the challenge in the next 10 days.
“The other teams play also. It’s not only us to play difficult football games, all of us have to do it,” he told Liverpoolfc.com at the club’s 2017 Players’ Awards.
“It’s all good so far. 70 points is a wonderful number. It’s not what we want to have at the end of the season, but at the moment we have it.
“Now we can go for the next three. West Ham will not be easy, but it’s exactly like this for all the rest also.”
Klopp and his squad were at Anfield for the annual Players’ Awards event on Tuesday night, where Sadio Mane was voted Player of the Season by both the fans and his fellow teammates.
The boss was happy to see the Senegal forward, sidelined until next term, recognised for the stellar form of his first season with the Reds – but insisted the focus for the rest of the team was in no way disturbed.
“It’s a wonderful place to celebrate,” Klopp said of the ceremony inside the Main Stand.
“For us, it’s a little bit strange because the season is not finished. It’s easy to celebrate Sadio – what a wonderful prize. [There were] really hard challenges with Adam [Lallana] and Roberto [Firmino], and probably a few more would have deserved this because they have played a really good season.
“That’s good to see. But, of course, it’s not done.”